Fire Department Treasurer Sentenced for Stealing More Than $40k

FREEHOLD – A Neptune Township woman was sentenced Friday for stealing over $40,000 during her tenure as treasurer of the Bradley Beach Fire Department, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Christine Paladino, 41, of Cookman Avenue in the Ocean Grove section of the township, was sentenced to three years in a New Jersey state prison on Friday, January 4 before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Richard W. English. As a public official, Paladino will be required to serve two years in prison before being eligible for parole. The sentence follows a guilty plea made by Paladino in August to one count of third-degree theft by deception. In pleading guilty, Paladino admitted that between May 2016 and December 2017, she took over $40,000 through checks, debit card charges, and ATM withdrawals. Paladino committed these acts in her capacity as treasurer of the Bradley Beach Fire Department.

The plea was conditioned upon Paladino paying $40,000 in restitution. She will also be prohibited from holding any public office in the future as part of her plea agreement.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Joshua D. Detzky.

Paladino is represented by Mitchell Ansell, Esq., of Ocean Township.

In November 2012, under the leadership of Prosecutor Gramiccioni, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office launched a Corruption Tip Line designed to solicit the public’s assistance in identifying and targeting corruption, fraud, and misconduct occurring in local governmental agencies. Citizens may report concerns via the following: Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line -- 855-7-UNJUST (855-786-5878); or, Email – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line).